Assistant Chief Engineer - WHSV

Gray Media, or Gray, is a multimedia company headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, formally known as Gray Television, Inc. The company is the nation's largest owner of top-rated local television stations and digital assets serving 113 television markets that collectively reach approximately 36 percent of US television households. The portfolio includes 77 markets with the top-rated television station and 100 markets with the first and/or second-highest-rated television station, as well as the largest Telemundo Affiliate group with 43 markets totaling nearly 1.5 million Hispanic TV Households. The company also owns Gray Digital Media, a full-service digital agency offering national and local clients digital marketing strategies with the most advanced digital products and services. Gray's additional media properties include video production companies Raycom Sports, Tupelo Media Group, and PowerNation Studios, and studio production facilities Assembly Atlanta and Third Rail Studios.

WHSV is located in Harrisonburg, Virginia, situated in the Shenandoah Valley. WHSV carries all four major networks plus MeTV, ION, and Outlaw. Operations include a studio, two transmitter sites, four translator sites, and a microwave relay site. WHSV was recently recognized by the Virginias Associated Press Broadcasters as 'News Operation of the Virginias'.

Job Summary/Description: The Assistant Chief Engineer will be the primary IT person and Safety Coordinator, as well as assist in the planning, purchasing, installation, maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair of equipment related to production, broadcasting, computer networking, and general building maintenance. If you love IT and have a passion for broadcasting, this could be the job for you!

Duties/Responsibilities Include (But Are Not Limited To):

IT:

• Troubleshoot and repair basic PC and networking issues
• Set up PCs for sales and news using documented procedures
• Identify and purchase necessary equipment for IT needs and performance issues
• Troubleshoot editor and Facilis issues
• Perform and maintain cloud and local backups of critical machines
• Oversee maintenance of VMs and station automation
• Communicate promptly and effectively with any staff member or department regarding IT needs or technical issues with a positive and professional attitude
• Administer and set up domain and e-mail accounts using documented procedures
• Assist in documenting IT setup, maintenance, and troubleshooting procedures

Studio:

• Troubleshoot and repair studio equipment
• Troubleshoot and repair field equipment
• Communicate effectively with any staff member or department regarding studio or field needs or technical issues
• Perform inspection, documentation, and basic maintenance of station vehicles/fleet management
• Assist in live shots and other station events as needed
• Make basic cables for RF, baseband video, and networking
• Obtain basic knowledge of the air chain with the ability to pinpoint problems
• Identify and purchase necessary equipment for studio needs and performance issues
• Assist in documenting studio equipment installation, maintenance, and troubleshooting procedures
• Program, maintain, and troubleshoot the Harris Platinum router
• Primary Safety Coordinator for the station

RF:

• Troubleshoot and repair transmitter issues
• Troubleshoot and repair fiber and microwave paths related to on-air issues
• Tune in satellite feeds for various programs
• Identify and purchase necessary equipment for RF needs and performance issues
• Assist in performing monthly transmitter maintenance and reports
• Assist in documenting air chain equipment installation, maintenance, and troubleshooting procedures

Other:

• The Assistant Chief Engineer is the main Safety Coordinator for the station, including all reports and corporate communications
• Communicate effectively with members of the engineering staff and other colleagues regarding technical issues with a positive and professional attitude
• Help engineering and production staff minimize loss of service
• Communicate and assist viewers and cable providers concerning reported outages or difficulties with the signal
• Assist the Chief Engineer in annual budgeting
• Keeping up to date with the industry by building and maintaining a network of contacts
• Willingness to conform to Gray standard engineering practices
• Developing and using awareness of best practice in health and safety for the workplace
• Keeping abreast of constant changes in technology by investigating new systems, techniques, and equipment
• Willingness to perform any basic building maintenance (light bulbs, basic plumbing, etc.) and run errands needed for station needs/events

Qualifications/Requirements:

Minimum 5 years of experience in both IT and studio equipment installation, testing, and repair

Must have good knowledge of virtual machines and cloud backup solutions

Must have knowledge of broadcast SDI video and audio systems and encoding

Knowledge of ENPS is a plus

Good interpersonal communication skills, both oral and written, and must be fully computer literate, particularly with Microsoft Word and Excel. Vizio experience is a plus.

Ability to work under pressure and handle multiple tasks based on station needs

Ability to work unsupervised

Ability to lift and carry up to 75 pounds, with occasional work on ladders and/or enclosed spaces

Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license in good standing

Be flexible and available to work within an on-call schedule (every other week and weekend)

Gray Media provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Gray Media complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training. Gray Media expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. Improper interference with the ability of Gray's employees to perform their job duties may result in discipline up to and including discharge.

Gray Media encourages all new employees to be fully vaccinated against the coronavirus virus before the first workday.